NFL Divisional Previews – 2012 NFC West Betting Breakdown
The 49ers were the surprise team of the league last season and came within a late turnover of making it to the Super Bowl. They ran away with the NFC West last season and are the major favorites to win it this season. It is not hard to see why since the Seahawks and Cardinals have major issues at the QB position and the Rams are hoping Sam Bradford gets over his sophomore slump.
NFC West Team Pages
Arizona
San Francisco
Seattle
St. Louis
San Francisco 49ers
Odds To Win NFC East 1.40
Odds To Win Super Bowl 17.00
The 49ers got a solid season from QB Alex Smith and while he does not have to be a star he needs to avoid mistakes and manage the game well like he did last season. Frank Gore leads a solid rushing offense along with 2nd year back Kendall Hunter, exciting rookie LaMichael James, and free agent addition Brandon Jacobs. One player getting a lot of buzz in the City by the Bay is WR Randy Moss, who looks to revive his career. The defesne will still be the strength led by stud LB Patrick Willis. The 49ers have all the tools to go to the Super Bowl, but they do have a killer early season schedule facing the Packers, Lions, Jets, and Giants.
49ers NFC West Prediction – Like last season the 49ers will run away with the NFC West.
Seattle Seahawks
Odds To Win NFC East 6.50
Odds To Win Super Bowl 67.00
The Seahawks brought in Matt Flynn to be their QB, but will he beat out Tarvaris Jackson and 3rd round pick Russell Wilson? RB Marshawn Lynch signed a big contract in the off-season and he will have to play like he did last season and if that does not happen the Seattle offense will really struggle. The defense in the Great Northwest was decent last season, but all the eyes will be on the offense. OT Bruce Irvin was good first round pick and he will help protect whoever is under center.
Seahawks NFC West Prediction – I think Flynn will win the QB job and have a decent season, but not a great one and one of the reasons is that the Seahawks have a less than stellar WR corps. I see the Seahawks around .500 this season. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Arizona Cardinals
Odds To Win NFC East 8.50
Odds To Win Super Bowl 81.00
John Skelton will battle Kevin Kolb for the starting QB position and even though the Cardinals do know their starting QB yet there is a lot of promise in the passing game now that first round pick WR Michael Floyd is lined up across from Larry Fitzgerald. RB Beanie Wells quietly rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and he will be THE featured back this season. The Cardinals’ defense played much better in the 2nd half of the season last year and CB Patrick Peterson is an emerging star.
Cardinals NFC West Prediction – I see the Cardinals being the 2nd best team in the NFC West this season, but while they will not unseat the 49ers as the division champs a Wild Card is not out of the question.
St. Louis Cardinals
Odds To Win NFC East 13.00
Odds To Win Super Bowl 101.00
Jeff Fisher takes over the Rams and he will be counted on to turn things around in St. Louis. Bradford struggled last season, but it was not all his fault since the Rams have one of the weaker WR corps in the league. WR Brnadon Lloyd is gone, but the team is high on 2nd round pick WR Brian Quick. RB Stephen Jackson had another 1,000-yard season, but how much gas does he have left in his tank? LB James Laurinaitis and DE Chris Long return to the Rams’ defense that was decent against the pass, but horrid against the run, but most of the other players are new. St. Louis traded down in the draft and took DT Michael Brockers in the first round and he will be counted on to help right away against the run.
Rams NFC West Prediction – The Rams will be better than their 2-14 record from last season, but they will still be under .500 and come nowhere near the playoffs.
